Ian Watmore is only eight days into his new job as the Football Association's
chief executive, but he has already received his first taste of crisis
management.

On this occasion it was not a problem of the FA's making, yet the expected travel chaos around Wembley for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Andorra could have serious ramifications, especially in the context of the 2018 World Cup bid.

At one stage on Tuesday it was even feared that the current Tube strike would prevent Brent Council and the Metropolitan Police from agreeing to issue a stadium safety certificate allowing any supporter to attend the match.

As it is, England fans are braced for a travel nightmare, with no extra buses, trains or parking being provided at Wembley and precious little advice over alternative means of transport. With refunds being offered, the FA is braced to lose up to £1 million in revenue. Supporters have simply branded the situation "a national embarrassment".

Mark Perryman, the convenor of the London England fans' group, highlighted the existing problems in and around Wembley and said that the Tube strike simply illuminated inherent limitations.

"We travel around the world to watch England and, in every other European country, including Kazakhstan, it is better than here," he said. "The situation is already appalling and with the Tube strike it is even worse. Our public transport is a national disgrace and we have been incapable of reacting to the situation.

"We are being told to expect inconvenience, but few alternatives are being suggested. They could do simple things like open public parks, lift some of the car-parking restrictions, put on extra trains or buses, but none of this has happened. It is mind-boggling. You can bet Russia and Spain, the other European countries bidding for the World Cup, will have taken note."

Perhaps fortunately for the FA, Fifa president Sepp Blatter is no longer attending Wednesday night's match and will instead be represented by Geoff Thompson, a Fifa vice-president and former FA chairman.

The FA remain hopeful that more than 50,000 fans will attend and, having received praise for agreeing to refund money spent on tickets, they could also take some credit for averting the worst-case scenario of the match being played behind closed doors.

The day had begun with threats emanating from the authorities amid suspicions that the England match was being used as a political football in the dispute between London Underground and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union.

A meeting was held at 11am, attended by representatives of the FA, the Metropolitan Police, the British Transport Police, Brent Council and Transport for London. The major concern was whether the emergency services would be able to access Wembley amid the gridlock expected before and after the match.

By lunchtime, a decision had been taken and a safety certificate issued. What should have been a routine pre-match press conference for England manager Fabio Capello was overshadowed by a debate over how supporters would get to Wembley. Turnstiles will now open 2½ hours before kick-off, at 5.45pm, with car parks available in advance of that.

"Fans should prepare to have a disrupted journey," said Watmore. "Supporters should not rely on public transport and refunds will be made available to all ticket holders who decide not to attend this game. The journey home will be particularly difficult. We know English people love their football and will turn out in force I am sure."

Brent Council later confirmed that, other than pre-paid parking, no one should expect to park within a two-mile radius of Wembley, while Transport for London was simply referring inquiries about travel advice for the match to the FA.

With Wembley Park underground closed, there was further fury when it emerged that Chiltern Railways services would not be stopping at Wembley Stadium station because of safety concerns regarding overcrowding.

"We can congratulate the FA for offering the refund," said Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, "but for trains not to be stopping at Wembley Stadium station is rather extraordinary.

"If the trains are going to be overcrowded, you would think the solution would be to put on more trains, make more money and try to help people. Thousands of fans will stay at home and there will be lots of empty seats. It is tempting to say it could only happen in this country."